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High school students earn college credit at HCC

(August 1, 2005) - Many area high school students are getting a jump start on their college education through the ESSENCE Program at Hagerstown Community College. In 2004, more than 400 students from Washington County took classes at HCC while still in high school. And the best part… they did so at half the cost of regular tuition.

The ESSENCE (Early Support for Students to ENter College Education) Program has been so successful that College officials decided to extend a similar offer to students in areas outside of Washington County. So, beginning this fall, out-of-county and out-of-state high school students will be able to take classes at HCC at 25 percent off the regular tuition rate they would be charged based on residency.

Students attending HCC through the ESSENCE Program must be high academic achievers and 16 years of age or older. The discounted tuition is offered for up to 12 credits earned while in high school or home school.

Selected ESSENCE courses, offered at area high schools, provide a dual-enrollment option, where students receive both high school and college credits. High school counselors can provide more information on dual-enrollment offerings.